Polyenepolycarboxylic acids, derivatives thereof with respect to carboxyl groups, or salts of these

Abstract

Polyenepolycarboxylic acids represented by the following formula (1); (wherein n represents an integer of 0 to 5 and m represents an integer of 1 or 2, provided m is 1 when n is 0), or derivatives thereof at their carboxyl group(s) or their salts. The above compounds originate from natural products and are capable of exhibiting excellent dispersing ability.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A polyenepolycarboxylic acid having the formula (1):                    
       wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 or 2, provided that m is 1 when n is 0, or a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group(s) or a salt thereof. 
     
     
       2. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , wherein m=1 and n=0 in the formula (1), or a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group(s) or a salt thereof. 
     
     
       3. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , wherein m=2 and n=1 in the formula (1), or a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group(s) or a salt thereof. 
     
     
       4. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , wherein m=2 and n=2 in the formula (1), or a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group(s) or a salt thereof. 
     
     
       5. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , wherein the derivative thereof at the carboxyl group is an acid anhydride. 
     
     
       6. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , which is a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group, wherein a portion of the carboxyl groups is ester, and the remainder thereof is acid anhydride groups. 
     
     
       7. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the carboxyl groups are derivative groups thereof, and the remainder of the carboxyl groups are in a form of a salt. 
     
     
       8. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , which is a salt, said salt being a salt of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium, organic bases or amino acids. 
     
     
       9. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , which is a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group, and is an ester. 
     
     
       10. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 9 , wherein said ester is a lower alkyl ester. 
     
     
       11. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 1 , which is a derivative thereof at the carboxyl group, and is an amide. 
     
     
       12. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 11 , wherein said amide is a maleimide. 
     
     
       13. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 11 , wherein said amide is a lower alkyl amide. 
     
     
       14. The polyenepolycarboxylic acid of  claim 11 , wherein said amide is an arylamide. 
     
     
       15. A method for preparing a polyenepolycarboxylic acid represented by the formula (1) of  claim 1 , or acid anhydrides thereof or salts thereof, comprising the steps of: 
       a) cultivating a microorganism belonging to genus Talaromyces in a culture medium; and  
       b) isolating from a resulting culture solution therefrom the polyenepolycarboxylic acids, or acid anhydrides thereof or salts thereof of  claim 1 .  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said microorganisms is Talaromyces sp. No. 10092 (FERM BP-6250). 
     
     
       17. A dispersant composition, comprising: 
       a) one or more polyenepolycarboxylic acid(s) having the formula (1) of  claim 1 , or derivatives thereof or salts thereof; and  
       b) a carrier.  
     
     
       18. The dispersant composition of  claim 17 , containing the polyenepolycarboxylic acid(s) of the formula (1) wherein m=2 and n=0, or derivatives thereof at its carboxyl group(s) or their salts. 
     
     
       19. The dispersant composition of  claim 17 , containing the polyenepolycarboxylic acid(s)of the formula (1) wherein m=2 and n=1, or derivatives thereof at its carboxyl group(s) or their salts. 
     
     
       20. The dispersant composition of  claim 17 , containing the polyenepolycarboxylic acid(s) of the formula (1) wherein m=2 and n=2, or derivatives thereof at its carboxyl group(s) or their salts. 
     
     
       21. A dispersion, comprising: 
       a) an effective amount of one or more of the polyenepolycarboxylic acids having the formula (1) of  claim 1 ; and  
       b) a dispersoid.  
     
     
       22. The dispersion of  claim 21 , which is aqueous. 
     
     
       23. The dispersion of  claim 21 , which is non-aqueous. 
     
     
       24. The dispersion of  claim 21 , wherein the dispersoid comprises pigments, inks, fibers, paper, cosmetic substances, foods, paints, cement, concrete, rubber, plasters, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural chemicals, dyes, glazes, photographic film substances, magnetic materials, heavy oil or cleaning substances. 
     
     
       25. The dispersion of  claim 21 , wherein said one or more polyenepolycarboxylic acids are present in an amount of from 0.01 to 20 wt % based on the dispersoid.